Chapter 35 Revelations
Moscow. Saturday, March 16th. 11:35 a.m.
The sun was at its highest point, but despite this, the day was not hot. Gentle morning breezes still blew their whispers, and the shadows of the clouds offered a subtle refuge. The black suit fit like a glove over his long, stocky body. The pale blue shirt brought out his tanned skin, perfectly polished and shined shoes, with the bright brown hair elegantly styled, along with the various accessories that adorned his anatomy, Alexei looked more imposing than ever.
The meeting had been scheduled for noon at the White Rabbit restaurant in downtown Moscow. He was lucky that the restaurant was not too far from The Mansion, as Franchesco Graziani, one of his best and closest allies for the past 6 years, was not a fan of unpunctuality. The 37-year-old brown bear Alpha had a reputation as reckless as Alexei's. Very few dared to challenge him, and those who did never lived to tell the tale. Now Alexei was in the back seat of his armored car, driven by Luca, his trusted driver.
Since Thursday he had been looking forward to meeting Franchesco as he was eager to find out the truth, to know whether or not he had taken part in the embarkation business was piercing infected holes in his guts. Although he had hoped deep down that this would not be the case, the two had a long time to get to know each other and do business, no serious problem had ever arisen in any of their transactions.
But if it was the opposite case, he wasn't going to sit back and do nothing. A black van was following closely, there all the members of The Gang were watching, each with clear indications of what to do once they arrived at the scene.
He had given instructions to Xander to be on the lookout for security in the area, warning him of any trouble through the earpiece in his ear. Previously the task was in Reiji's hands, but aware of the decline in his skills and the ease with which Xander had been able to access his system (three times), he decided to hand over control to the Margay.
After a few more minutes of moving through the busy streets of the prestigious area, they had finally reached their destination. His door was opened by one of the restaurant's employees, he got out of the car with a graceful movement and walked into the place.
Franchesco was waiting for him sitting at one of the tables at the back, drinking small sips from his glass of red wine. At a confident pace, he walked towards him, who, on sensing his presence, gave him a brief smile and stood up to greet him with a firm handshake as soon as their distance was reduced.
-Good to see you again, Magnus - Franchesco always overflowed with calm kindness and this time was no different -. I was hoping to meet you soon.
-Same here - Alexei let go of his hand and the two of them sat face to face around the table -. I'm glad we're on the same page.
-That's right - assured him, then gestured to one of the waiters -. Do you want something, Magnus? You should try the Duck à l'Orange, it's exquisite.
-No, thank you - Subtly shakes the head -. Just wine for me.
-All right - Franchesco gives the order to the waiter and seconds later, they both have their glasses filled with the best red wine in the place.
The restaurant had been reserved exclusively for the two of them. Besides the working staff, the others present were Franchesco's henchmen and those of Alexei's organization.
-So, Magnus - the opposite began cautiously, spinning the cup between his fingers - I'm sorry about the way things turned out in our last deal - he took a sip of the liquid and connected his deep gaze with the other man's -. Like you, I didn't expect something like that to happen. I was very surprised when I got your call the next day.
-I won't lie to you, it took us by surprise - there was no point in denying it, they both knew they'd fucked up big time -. Despite all the security measures, I lost a lot of men.
-Yes, I almost lost some too. If it wasn't for Rocco's cunning and speed, I'm sure that's exactly what would have happened.
Alexei nearly grimaced at the mention of that disgusting name. It's amazing how a simple word can suddenly and quickly change a person's mood and alter one's nerves.
-That's precisely what I wanted to talk about, Fran - Stops briefly before continuing -. Since that fateful day, my men have been working hard to get as much information as possible about who might have planned all this - trying to keep a low but relaxed tone, always looking into his eyes.
-I would expect no less, is the logical procedure - by nodding his head slightly.
-It's taken me longer than I thought, but I'm finally getting close to the culprit. And believe me, Fran - he smiles sideways, even though the mood doesn't reach his chestnut iris -. I'm so close I can smell it - a sudden silence sets in between the two men, the glances never disconnecting and the postures as rigid as a tree trunk.
-Wait a minute, Magnus - Franchesco grunts, with a scowl and a hostile tone -. You're not implying I had anything to do with it, are you? - Alexei shrugs his shoulders in response and Franchesco opens his eyes wide in amazement at his brazen accusation -. You think I had something to do with it - he exclaims in surprise, resting the palms on the table -. For God's sake! How could you think such a thing? We've been doing business for years, Magnus. You know perfectly well that, like you, I severely punish treason and dishonesty.
Yeah, he knew that. He remembered that a couple of years ago Franchesco discovered that two of his men were passing on information about his illicit activities to the Feds. This caused him a lot of trouble, but when he finally found out who the perpetrators were, the way he dealt with them was not at all... Friendly.
From his plane, thousands of miles above the ground, he threw the two miserable men without a parachute. The police spent days collecting parts of the human anatomy, trying to reassemble the bodies.
-I know - Alexei grants, nodding slightly -. But I have proof. Evidence involving one of your men, Fran - Franchesco freezes for a few seconds, before reluctantly adding:
-Who? - Mumbling through the teeth.
-Your right-hand man, Rocco Giordano.
Franchesco raised his eyebrows so high that they almost reached the base of his hair, arms dropping to the sides. «It can't be», he thinks, as a terrible shudder pierces the skin on his back. If what Alexei was telling him was true, not only would he be losing his best and closest employee, but the integrity of himself and his institution would be in danger.
-You're lying - he mutters, his voice low and shaky -. You're lying... - repeats within the wave of disbelief in which he was immersed -. Don't you? You must be.
-No - Alexei says sharp -. I have proof, Franchesco.
-Show them to me - trying to get down the knot obstructing his throat -. Show them to me, now! - delivering a powerful punch to the table that nearly split it in two.
Alexei nods and signals to Yaakov, who was standing by the entrance of the instance. Franchesco watches him approach, holding something in his hands, and it's not until he reaches the table that he realizes it's a laptop.
Already in the hands of Alexei, the Alpha maneuvers for a few seconds on the device and then turn it over to place it in front of Franchesco, who, on examining the luminous screen, notices that there is a folder open with two videos.
-In the first one, Rocco is talking to a man in a bar. If you look closely, you'll discover that he slipped a white envelope under the table - Alexei tells him as he watches Franchesco's trembling fingers scrolling across the keyboard.
-How do you know it's Rocco? - he asks quietly after the video is over -. He has his back to the camera, you can't see his face at any time.
-In the second one, you'll find the interrogation I made to the man he was meeting with - Franchesco clicks on the file. Voice sounds come out of the device's speakers while the recording is playing. The video is cut after a few minutes announcing its end.
The Alpha slowly closes the computer and remains silent, staring at the device in front of him as if it could suddenly grow arms and legs to strangle him or stick the forgotten butter knife on the plate in his temple.
It was obvious that he was trying to find, in the rough sea in which his mind was struggling to survive, a reason why Rocco could have betrayed him.
-Where's your man now, Fran? - Alexei asks him, breaking the unrestrained thread of his thoughts.
-In Tokyo, I told him to go there two days ago - without looking up and in a low voice, he seemed distant and distracted.
-Doing what?
-He's... - Clearing his throat, trying to organize his thoughts, all the information he received left him unsettled -. He's... Meeting with Toshiba Yamamoto in Arakawa, planning to export a batch of weapons within a week.
-Xander - Alexei calls, putting a wrist in his mouth to communicate -. Can you confirm that?
-"I'm on it, Magnus" - the Omega responds and he can hear the noise generated by the keyboard.
-Believe me, Fran, the news took me by surprise too.
-And you believe me, Magnus - connecting the gaze with his for the first time since he saw the videos -. That you're not half as surprised, or angry, as I am - before he could respond, the static in his ear interrupts.
-"Confirmed. He arrived exactly two days ago, met with Yamamoto yesterday and is now in a hotel room".
-Perfect, thank you - Alexei is pleased and heads back to the other Alpha, who is scowling at him -. It seems your man is doing his duty, for now.
-I will kill the bastard - Franchesco mumbles, his jaws in tension and the fists so tight that his knuckles pale -. I'll gut him alive, I'll torture him in every way possible. In the end, he'll beg me to kill him, and I'll enjoy watching his life slip away - he strikes the table surface again -. I'll kill the fucking son of a bitch! - Alexei nods thoughtfully at his words, crosses the arms over his chest before continuing.
-I have a plan to catch him. He and anyone else who is behind this - assures him, anxious and impatient to capture those responsible -. Will benefit both of us, but only when we are finished will you have the path free to kill him - Franchesco seems to consider it for a few moments until he answers.
-Very well - sighs deeply -. What do I have to do?